- P.O. Box 201960, Kampala
- info@inmotiongorillasafaris.com
★ Tailor-Made Safari Expedition
15 Days Rwanda & Uganda Trekking Safari – On the Trail of the Gentle Giants
15+Years guiding
4×4Private vehicle
100%Tailor-made
★4.9TripAdvisor
01
Overview
The 15 Days Rwanda & Uganda Trekking Safari – On the Trail of the Gentle Giants – is a walking-focused journey from Kigali to Entebbe through the “Land of a Thousand Hills” and the Pearl of Africa. Climb through lush rainforest and volcanic highlands, canoe across Lake Mutanda beneath the mist-shrouded Virungas, and cross the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest on foot – the home of the last mountain gorillas on our planet.
Highlights include a four-day trek from Kisoro to Buhoma, a two-day mini-trek on the Congo–Nile Trail along Lake Kivu, the canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest, tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park, chimpanzees in Nyungwe, a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel, and optional gorilla tracking in both Volcanoes and Bwindi National Parks. Group size: 5–12 travellers.
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Day-by-Day Itinerary
1
International departure
Scheduled flight from your home city to Kigali, Rwanda. Overnight in Kigali.
2
Kigali city tour and drive to Huye
After a breakfast briefing with your tour guide, take a short tour of Kigali including the Genocide Memorial, then travel via Muhanga to the university town of Huye along scenic serpentine roads through the land of a thousand hills. Driving time approx. 3.5 hours. Overnight in Huye (B, L, D).
3
Canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest
Drive to the Uwinka Visitor Centre and walk through tea plantations to the famous canopy walkway. Sixty metres above the forest floor, watch chimpanzees and colobus monkeys swing through the treetops at eye level. Overnight in tents on a covered wooden platform deep in the rainforest – bring a headlamp. Walking time approx. 2 hours (B, L, D).
4
Imbaraga Trail in Nyungwe Forest
A ranger-led 10 km hike (about 6 hours) along the watershed between the Congo Basin and the Nile tributaries, past four waterfalls. Possible sightings include Angola colobus, L'Hoest's monkeys, silver monkeys, baboons, and even wild chimpanzees, plus some of Nyungwe's 275 bird species – 26 of them endemic. Afternoon drive along Lake Kivu to Kibuye (B, L, D).
5
Boat trip on Lake Kivu and Congo–Nile Trail mini-trek
Cruise by local wooden boat to Napoleon Island with its large bat colony and sweeping views over Lake Kivu to the Congo. Continue by boat to a lakeside trail through banana groves, pineapple, and coffee plantations, reaching your lakefront lodge by lunchtime. Free afternoon for a swim in the clear, bilharzia-free lake (B, L, D).
6
Congo–Nile Trail and drive to Musanze
Continue along the 227 km Congo–Nile Trail through Rwanda's fjord-like lakeshore scenery, meeting local fishermen and spotting crowned cranes, cormorants, and kingfishers among 370 recorded bird species. After lunch in Gisenyi, drive along the Virunga volcano chain to Musanze (B, L, D).
7
Optional gorilla tracking, golden monkeys, or Bisoke ascent
Choose between gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park (permit US$1,500), golden monkey tracking (US$95), or a day hike up Bisoke volcano with its crater lake (US$75) – or simply enjoy a free morning. In the afternoon, cross the border to Kisoro, Uganda (B, L, D).
8
Canoe across Lake Mutanda and hike to Rushaga
Begin a three-day self-contained trekking section carrying only your backpack (porters available). Glide across Lake Mutanda in a traditional dugout canoe beneath the mist-shrouded Virungas, then hike a panoramic trail through the Kigezi highlands to a lodge on the edge of Bwindi Forest. About 6–7 hours (B, L, D).
9
Ridge trek from Rushaga to Nkuringo
An adventurous ridge walk between the pristine Bwindi primary forest and terraced farmland, led by a knowledgeable local guide. Optional Batwa community visit in Nkuringo in the late afternoon. Walking time approx. 6 hours (B, L, D).
10
Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Face to face with the silverback – the highlight of the trip. Follow the rangers cross-country through dense forest to your assigned gorilla family and spend a magical hour in their company. Gorilla permit US$800 per person (B, L, D).
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Hike through the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to Buhoma
Trek through the heart of the “impenetrable” jungle – home to forest elephants, bush pigs, and small antelope – emerging at Buhoma on the park's northern edge, then drive about two hours to Queen Elizabeth National Park (B, L, D).
12
Ishasha tree-climbing lions and Kazinga Channel boat safari
Early game drive along the Ishasha River, where hundreds of hippos rest and the famous tree-climbing lions drape themselves over fig branches. In the afternoon, a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel brings hippos, elephants, buffaloes, crocodiles, and prolific birdlife within camera range (B, L, D).
13
Full-day game drives and Lake Katwe salt mining
A full day exploring Queen Elizabeth's rainforest, savannah, lakes, and wetlands – lions, hippos, buffaloes, Uganda kob, waterbuck, and some 450 bird species. After lunch, visit Lake Katwe to meet the salt miners and learn about this centuries-old trade (B, L, D).
14
Lake Mburo game drive and transfer to Entebbe
A misty early-morning game drive in Lake Mburo National Park – zebras and impalas up close, superb light for photographers – then cross the Equator on the drive to Entebbe for an early dinner and rest (B, L, D).
15
Departure
Early-morning transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your homeward flight.
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What's Included
✓ Included
- ✓ English-speaking tour guide from Kigali to Entebbe
- ✓ 12 nights in mid-range hotels and lodges, 1 night in a fixed safari tent with private bathroom, 1 night in a shared platform tent in Nyungwe Forest
- ✓ Full board as per itinerary
- ✓ Entrance fees according to the programme
- ✓ Boat trips on Lake Kivu and the Kazinga Channel
- ✓ Dugout canoe crossing on Lake Mutanda
✗ Excluded
- ✗ International flights
- ✗ Gorilla tracking permit Uganda (US$800, book early, non-refundable)
- ✗ Gorilla tracking permit Rwanda (US$1,500, non-refundable)
- ✗ Golden monkey tracking (US$95) and Bisoke volcano hike (US$75)
- ✗ Visas for Rwanda and Uganda (US$50 each) or East Africa Tourist Visa (US$100)
- ✗ Porter fees during treks (approx. US$15 per porter per day)
- ✗ Drinks, tips, and items of a personal nature
- ✗ Single room supplement
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Gallery
